Sifter top for cans or containers



April 21, 1931. P E, CQSTELLQ 1,802,199`

SIFTER TOP 'FOR CANS OR CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 2l, 1930 Patented Apr. 21,- 1931 I UNITED STATES;

PATENT OFFICE PETER E. COSTELLO, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOB. TO FEDERAL COMPANY,

i OIF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, A CORPORATION Smm TOP FOR CAN'S 0R CONTAINERS Application mea usr-,binary 21, 1930. seriai No. 430,434.

The object of this invention is to provide a can or container of pulverized or powdered ymaterials such as spices, or condiments, having a. slide movable to cover. and uncover the outlet opening which will assure retention of the slide in outlet closing position and also prevent the can or container contents sifting out whenthe slide is in a closed position.

The invention consists in whatever is de- :A scribed by or is included within the terms or scope of the appended claims. In the drawings Fig. l is a top plan view of a can with a sifter top embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2`of Fig. 1. The top or breast, 10, of the can shown in the drawings has a central opening, 11, that serves as an outlet for the can contents and to the upper side thereof is secured a slide, 12, in the form of a strip of sheet metal which on opposite longitudinal edges is overlapped by struck up lugs or spurs, 13, in accordance with ordinary practice. At each ,end the slide has a roll or curl, 14, for engagement by the finger-nail for moving the slide in one direction or the other.

The slide shown has near one end a group of small holes,. 15, and at the other end a Y single large hole, 16, so that the group of holes may be placed over the outlet for sifting or the single hole may be placed over the outlet, so a larger quantity at a time,

of the'can contents may be poured out. l

At midlength of the slide, it has a circular offset or button,17, that is formed by a depression from the top so that the button or projection is on the underside of the slide and when the slide is in hole-closing position, saidv button registers with and substantially fills moved to uncover the outlet said button engages the top of the breast at oneside of the outlet hole.

` The outer edge of the outlet hole, or that so that it has a snug or close fit against the adjacent undersurface of the slide and thereby constitutes an eiiicient seal that prevents the can contents sifting out when the slide is in a closed position. The raising 'of such the outlet hole, 11, and when the slide is` edge neX-t the underside of the slide, is raised edge is easily accomplished by dishing or indenting upward from the breast the portion that forms the margin of the outlet. There is enough spring in the parts to enable the button to ride over the raised edge.

What is claimed is :F-

1. A can or container having an outlet hole and a closure slide 'with a perforated portion movable into and out of register with said hole and having an offset portionto register with and enter said hole, when the slide is in outlet closing position. n

2. A can or container having an outlet hole and a closure slide with a perforated portion movable into and out of register with said hole and having an offset portion to register with and enter said hole, when the slide is in outlet closing position, said offset portion substantially filling saidfhole.

3. A can or container having an outlet hole and a closure slide with a .perforated `portion movable into and out of register with said hole and having an offset portion to register with and enter said hole, when the slide is in outlet closing position, the edge of said hole being offset to contact with the adjacent surface of the slide.

1. .A container or can having a fiat-surfaced top and a fiat-surfaced slide, the slide being shiftable to occunv any one of three positions in the line of its sliding movement one of said parts having a pouring hole and sifter holes spaced apart in the direction of sliding movement of the slide, said slide in the midone of its three positions closing both pouring and sifter holes and in each of its other positions opening the pouring holeor the sifter holes and means to restrain the slide in each of its three positions comprising an offset portion on one of said parts in the direction of theadjacent surface of the other part, said other part having an opening into which said offset projects when oii'set and opening are in alinement, the surface of thepart having said hole on opposite sides thereof in both direction of movement of the slide beingy engageable by said offset when the slide is shifted to either of its extremesofmovement and guiding means holding can top and slide in sliding engagement.

5. A can or container as in claim Llain which the slide has both kinds of holes and the slide guide comprises tongues integral with the can top overlapping opposite side edges of the slide.

6. A container, or can having pouring and sifter holes, and including a flat-surfaced top and a flat-surfaced slide, said holes being spaced apart inthe direction of movement of the slide, and coasting means on slide and top that hold the slide yieldingly at mid and opposite eXtreme positions of its sliding movement, comprising a hole-entering offset on one of said parts into and out of which hole :said offset moves, when the slide is moved over the top, saidfoffset when out of the hole frictionally contacting With the adjacent surface of the other part. ,Y

7: A container, or can having pouring and sifter holes, and including a flat-surfaced top and a flat-surfaced slide, said holes being spaced apartrin the direction of movement of the slide, and coacting means on slide and top that hold the slide yieldingly at Yifnid and opposite extreme positions of its sliding movement, comprising a hole-entering offsetV on one of saidparts into and .out of which hole said oifset moves, when the slide ismoved over the top, said hole being the pouring hole, said offset When;out of the hole rictionally contacting with the adjacent surface of the other part.

In' testimony whereof l hereunto affix my signature. Y

PETER E.. GSTELL, 

